Getting Started

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone
I'm starting out and I was wonderiing if you could all help me
I'm thinking of Using aristo Track with some small aristo engines (the RS3 and Doodlebug and maybe USA's 44 tonner) Are these good choices
And is it best to dig a 6" deep trenck for ballast or can it be shallower
How much are bonsai trees at home depot
I've heard they had miniature trees but didn't know seriously or the price
I plan to use aristo power packs and the baby Train Engineer for walk around control
At the moment I do not intend to use structures.
I would rathher scratch build them later on
If there is anything vital I have not mentioned please respond
Thanks
Alex

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BMTRAINS

Hi everyone
I'm starting out and I was wonderiing if you could all help me
I'm thinking of Using aristo Track with some small aristo engines (the RS3 and Doodlebug and maybe USA's 44 tonner) Are these good choicesYES
And is it best to dig a 6" deep trenck for ballast or can it be shallowerPossibly, might depend on climate and water shed in the area in question
How much are bonsai trees at home depot Unsure but start looking for year end closeouts in the next month or so
I've heard they had miniature trees but didn't know seriously or the price
I plan to use aristo power packs and the baby Train Engineer for walk around controlKeep in mind the size of the power pack will depend on how much track you intend on using. check the GR forum of battery and Rc for train engineer feedback
At the moment I do not intend to use structures.
I would rathher scratch build them later on
If there is anything vital I have not mentioned please respond
Thanks
Alex

[#welcome]and I hope this helps. Any other questions just ask away and browse this forum their alot of good hands on info here.

[Anonymous]

Hi Alex, Matt has answered most of your questions, here's my two penny worth. How you lay your track will depend on your own ground conditions, we all vary and what works for one is another mans watery grave. I have a high water table so I dug out a couple of inches, edged with bricks and infilled with gravel to the top of the bricks so the track has been raised a couple of inches above the flood zone. I use train engineer and it is very good. I would go for the full TE, it is very reasonable and can control many loco's and accessories through its multi code functions, saying that I believe the Aristo starter sets include the junior TE and as such are good value. Power supply, minimum of 5 amps will keep you out of trouble. Have fun and enjoy.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

On the plants, some of our local nurseries have started carrying minature plants specifically for garden railroads. I have put them in a standard size container, and then put the container in the road. Having SS track, I just let sprinklers water everthing. When a plant gets too close to the right of way, I just pull it out, relocate the hole with a post hole digger, and drop it in the new hole. There are pix of my plants and the layout on my site. I have individual pictures on many plants, and the latin and common names.
Try www.elmassian.com ... Regards, Greg

[smcgill]

[#welcome] Alex !!

Bye looking @ your profile I noticed were you lived ! [;)]

Take the time and go to Charles Ro. in Malden, Ma. " Home to U.S.A.Trains"
( rt60 & cross st. behind car dealer)
Go inside [wow] then ask Sue anytype of questions! [;)]
Go up stairs (Sat. the trains run) and look @ there display! [^]

Muhonies in Winchester (rt3) has some great (Rock Garden) plants! [;)]

Around Christmas time Home Depot sells Dwarph Alberta Spruces with Red ribbons on them!
After Christmas what do not sell go on sale! [:-^]
I bought 20 for $1:24 /each! [(-D] [:-,]

Another good Forum is : http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/default.asp
Lots of great answers ther also! [;)]


Good luck and tell us how you make out! [}:)]
If I can Help just e-mail me!

[guysaab]

Oh, holy cow, so many questions!
Here's what to do: grade and level your area to your ideas, next LAY DOWN TRACK!
I dug down 1-2" and about 6" wide. I got that idea from reading others posts here.
Practically any engine(s) with most any car(s) are good, however that is contingent upon one thing: That they run.
I am new also to all of this and am discovering that we are not launching rockets. This is far easier and much more fun.
As we started laying track we had neighbors interested and my two sons and I had alot of fun and satisfaction.
Myself, I read alot of posts as I dug, graded, smoothed, and laid track then ballast.